Tips and Tricks for surviving the Winter!

[Gerrumonside ref]

Thought it might good for us to share tips and tricks for getting through the winter in reasonable spirits.

Could be practical stuff on staying warm, shopping tips and a bit of humour or whatever.

Only rule I would say is avoid political points as this thread will soon disappear otherwise.

Theres plenty of political threads in t’other bit to slag off the politicians!

[bobbruce]

My main one will be getting the wood burner on then hopefully leaving the heating off as much as possible. 

[Gerrumonside ref]

I’ve a vulnerable disabled older sister and during the heatwave I slowly took advantage of any deals on cold weather clothing for her.

By doing this I’ve managed to cobble together a wearable hoodie blanket, wooly socks, fluffy indoor boots with microwaveable pouches that can be heated up all at much less than they would cost normally. 

Next up is figuring out how to make the shopping go further beyond batch cooking and freezing.

[Gerrumonside ref]

12 minutes ago, bobbruce said:

My main one will be getting the wood burner on then hopefully leaving the heating off as much as possible. 

It’s a big one that on coping with no to minimal heating.

I’ve invested in a couple of small draught excluders for the main doors and am looking at the temporary kits that you can put on windows that act like triple glazing almost.

Thinking that draught excluders could probably be homemade by recycling knackered clothing that can’t be repaired as the inner material.

I’d need a sewing kit I guess, but that’s never a bad skill to learn and will always come in handy in the future.

 

Edited September 3, 2022 by Gerrumonside ref

[tonyXIII]

In general, try to avoid waste. Others will know better than me, but buying smaller quantities where possible or splitting larger items into portion amounts and putting in the freezer. Don't be silly with 'best before' dates and look online for tips to revive food that is past its best. As an example, bread that has gone dry can be revived by sprinkling with some water and giving it a very quick (10 seconds, maybe less) blast in the microwave.

Good luck to one and all, especially those caring for vulnerable relatives.

[graveyard johnny]

go to wetherspoons- buy a pint of soda and lime and make it last all night

[DavidM]

We’ve bought 2 big candle lanterns and put them in front of the fire and we’re gonna see if they give a bit of heat and light . It’s a tip we got from someone 

[Wiltshire Warrior Dragon]

1 hour ago, tonyXIII said:

In general, try to avoid waste. Others will know better than me, but buying smaller quantities where possible or splitting larger items into portion amounts and putting in the freezer. Don't be silly with 'best before' dates and look online for tips to revive food that is past its best. As an example, bread that has gone dry can be revived by sprinkling with some water and giving it a very quick (10 seconds, maybe less) blast in the microwave.

Good luck to one and all, especially those caring for vulnerable relatives.

Thanks for some helpful ideas there, Tony.

To add to them, make full use of recipe books or recipes online.  Also, when you think about a main meal, if you think there is a probability of left-overs, think concurrently about how they might be used.  I am lucky; Mrs WWD is a brilliant cook, which is maybe not surprising given that I met her at the cafe which her mum owned and ran in Skipton!  My missus always looks to make positive use of left-overs, so waste is minimal.  For instance, the meat and veg that might be left from a Sunday roast might be blended to make a thick soup for Monday or Tuesday lunchtime - delicious, and even more so if some of my home-made bread is cut into thick slices for dunking in the soup.  Mrs WWD is a dab hand at using meat leftovers in various ways throughout the week.

Bread is the only thing I really contribute regularly to the home cooking, but I have now geared up so that we rarely buy commercially produced bread.  Although I don't think my breadmaking saves huge amounts of money, it definitely saves some, so should not be overlooked.  I( also find the physical exertion of the kneading phases quite therapeutic, and it's good 'thinking time'.  If anybody would like my recipe, let me know, and I can put it on here, though I am sure there are loads of good ones online.

[DavidM]

I’ve hoarded lots of tins of beans so I’ll be ok for food and noone one will visit me , so double win 

[Damien]

1 hour ago, DavidM said:

I’ve hoarded lots of tins of beans so I’ll be ok for food and noone one will visit me , so double win 

It saves on bubble bath too. Triple win.

[Shadow]

7 hours ago, graveyard johnny said:

go to wetherspoons- buy a pint of soda and lime and make it last all night

The Wetherspoons in Salisbury offers free coffee and tea refills. £1 for hot drinks all day

[Stirlin]

On 03/09/2022 at 14:13, graveyard johnny said:

go to wetherspoons- buy a pint of soda and lime and make it last all night

Why ?  , the beer is cheaper.

[Wolford6]

https://www.etsy.com/uk/market/long_johns_with_flap

 

[Vambo]

Our Central Heating packed in four years ago (Back boiler).

We haven't bothered replacing it.

We're not as soft as we once were.

[Vambo]

As for tips...

Ditch the shorts. Find comfortable and warm clothing, snuggle up with your other (undoubtedly better) half and enjoy her/his company whilst making light of the season.

Be sure to take in the sun when it's out and use every opportunity to laugh and enjoy life because there is always someone in a far worse position than  you.

Be thankful that it's soup season and seek out all the recipes on youtube and give them a go.

 

 

[Futtocks]

An ERG-leaning Tory MP, skilfully butchered, portioned and frozen, will provide adequate nutrition for as long as it takes to fatally poison you.

[Phil]

A tealight candle when lit and placed under an upside down, 4" terracotta flower pot, will generate enough heat to boil a couple of pints of water.